Dani walked slowly along the dusty road, his canvas shoes looking worn from overuse. The road to Susanto's house felt quiet, with only the occasional sound of wind carrying dry leaves. The scorching sun beat down, making sweat stream relentlessly down his back.
After walking for several minutes, he finally arrived at Susanto's porch. The house was simple, with walls where the paint was starting to peel and a wooden fence that looked shaky. Yet, the house always felt warm, perhaps because of its famously relaxed and friendly owner. On the porch, Susanto was seen enjoying his free time. A rickety chair supported his body, while in his hands were a steaming cup of coffee and a cigarette whose smoke wafted into the air.
"Bro, what are you up to? Got nothing to do, huh?" asked Dani as he approached, trying to joke to lighten the mood.
Susanto turned and greeted him with a wide smile. "Me? Just enjoying life, bro. Pretty chill, right?" he said, taking a sip of his coffee.
"Sounds like a retiree," Dani smirked slightly.
"Hey, but I have important info for you," Susanto said suddenly in a serious tone, though his face remained relaxed.
"Important info? What now, bro? Don't tell me you're recruiting me for a co-op again, sending me to collect debts only to get cheated myself. I've had enough!" Dani chuckled lightly, but there was a hint of apprehension in his voice.
Susanto laughed while stubbing out his cigarette in a small ashtray beside him. "Not this time, bro. Seriously, it's a job vacancy. A real job, not a scam."
Dani immediately furrowed his brows, his skeptical look clearly visible on his face. "A job vacancy? Bro, I've been unemployed for two years, you know that, right? I've even forgotten what working feels like."
"That's exactly why, bro!" Susanto leaned in a little, trying to convince Dani. "It's a job at a retail store warehouse. Near here, the pay is decent for someone starting over."
Dani fell silent for a moment. Susanto's words touched a part of him that had long been buried—the desire to rise from his slump. However, the laziness that had become a part of him kept fighting back. "I don't know, bro... I think I've gotten comfortable being unemployed." Dani tried to joke, though in his heart, he felt a twinge of shame.
Susanto let out a long sigh, then looked at Dani with eyes more serious than usual. "Bro, I get it. Being unemployed is like a vicious cycle. You're too lazy to look for work because you're afraid of failing, but that just makes you sink deeper. You're still young, bro! Don't waste your time!"
Those words reminded Dani of his mother's words a few days ago: "Dani, when will you change? Do you want to keep being a burden to the family?" That sentence felt like a thorn buried deep in his heart. He knew his mother didn't mean to hurt him, but the reality was too bitter to accept.
Susanto noticed Dani's silence and patted his shoulder. "How about this? You just need to bring your ID card, diploma, and a passport photo. I'll help handle it with HR. No harm in trying, right, bro?"
Dani sighed heavily. He looked at the dusty road ahead, as if searching for an answer there. In his heart, he felt as if he were at a crossroads: one path leading to hope, the other to the emptiness he had always known. "I'll give it a try," he finally said, though his voice sounded uncertain.
Susanto grinned widely. "That's the spirit! You won't regret it, bro."
However, as Dani stood up, for some reason, he jumped like a frog—perhaps to give himself a burst of courage.
THUMP!
His body fell to the ground in a ridiculous manner, sending dust flying around him.
Susanto burst into loud laughter. "You dumb blockhead, Dan! Are you stupid or what? Is this the effect of being unemployed for too long? Hahaha!" he said, slapping his thigh.
Dani tried to get up, but his body still ached from the fall. "Bro, at least help me... You think it's funny," he groaned, his face flushed with embarrassment.
Susanto finally stopped laughing and helped Dani to his feet. "Sorry, bro. But seriously, that was so dumb! Hahaha!" he said, trying to suppress his laughter.
After brushing the dust off his clothes, Dani decided to head home. "Whatever, man. I'm heading back, I need to prepare the documents," he said, walking away.
However, after a few steps, Dani turned back. "Hey, bro! I still don't know about the salary or working hours. You haven't explained anything!"
Susanto just waved his hand casually. "I already told you, you'll find out later! Just relax, bro!"
Dani could only shake his head as he continued walking. On his way home, his mind was still in turmoil. He knew the job offer was an opportunity he shouldn't waste, but his laziness and doubts continued to haunt him.
In front of his house, Dani paused for a moment and looked at the sky, now tinged red by the twilight. "Maybe it's time for me to change," he murmured softly. He knew this journey wouldn't be easy, but the first step was always the hardest.
---
In the Depths of the Dark Forest
Neir jolted awake. Her vision was blurry, her body trembling. The cold air bit into her skin, making her fully conscious. Her hands and feet were tightly bound with rough rope, and this place... she was in a dark cave with a faint green glow emanating from crystals embedded in the walls.
Neir tried to move her body, but it was futile. Her heart pounded rapidly, fear slowly creeping in. "Where am I?" she whispered softly.
Footsteps echoed, approaching from the darkness. The woman in the white robe who had dragged her here emerged from the shadows, her face illuminated by the green light, making her look like a figure from a nightmare.
"Ah, you're awake," the woman said in a cold voice. Her gaze was sharp, like that of an eagle watching its prey.
Neir swallowed, her voice stuck in her throat. "Why did you bring me here? What do you want from me?"
The woman stepped closer, her robe rustling softly. "There shouldn'tt be any drama, but I want to confirm something." She leaned her face close to Neir's, examining every inch of the little girl's face. "Where is your green pendant, child?"
Neir fell silent, her mind immediately drawn to that object—the mysterious green pendant she had last given to Mr. Gharrick. "I don't have a green pendant," she answered in a trembling voice, trying to sound confident.
The woman narrowed her eyes, then stretched out her hand toward Neir. She didn't grab her immediately but pressed her fingers against Neir's neck, slowly yet firmly, as if checking whether her pulse remained calm or was racing from tension.
"Don't lie," whispered the woman, her tone almost like the whisper of wind in a silent night. "I can smell the trace of Etherium energy on your body. That pendant was once in your possession, wasn't it?"
"I-I don't know what you're talking about!" Neir struggled, but the pressure on her neck made her even more afraid. It felt like a snake slowly coiling around her neck, tightening every time she tried to resist.
The woman finally released her, letting Neir cough and take a deep breath. "Useless child. Without that pendant, this ritual is only half complete. But I can still use it... if you become its replacement."
The Ritual in the Magic Circle
The woman stepped to the center of the cave, where a large magic circle was drawn on the ground. Intricate symbols glowed green, surrounded by a thick, dark red liquid that appeared to be blood. Etherium energy flowed through the air, feeling heavy and making the atmosphere increasingly eerie.
Neir stared at the circle in horror. "What are you going to do to me?" she asked, her voice trembling.
The woman smiled coldly. "Interdimensional teleportation requires three elements. The green pendant to focus the energy, a human sacrifice to open the dimensional gate, and Etherium blood as the catalyst." She looked sharply at Neir. "Without the pendant, I can replace it with the residual energy traces left on you."
Neir shook her head. "You... you can't do this! It's wrong!"
"There is nothing wrong in seeking power, child," the woman replied flatly. "Etherium is the key to everything. With this teleportation, I can send someone to the place they desire most... or to a place they never wished for."
The woman began chanting an incantation, her voice echoing throughout the cave. The magic circle glowed brighter, emitting dazzling green flashes. The energy in the air grew denser, making it difficult for Neir to breathe.
Neir tried to struggle, but the ropes binding her were too strong. In her heart, she prayed for someone—anyone—to come save her.
However, something strange happened. The light in the circle suddenly dimmed, and a rumbling sound came from the cave entrance. The woman stopped, her face tense.
"Impossible..." she whispered, staring wide-eyed toward the cave entrance.
Neir followed her gaze, hoping for a miracle to happen.
---
Dani stepped into the house with slow steps, closing the back door. He took off his shoes and headed to his room. There, on the table, was a pile of items, including his phone lying carelessly.
Dani sat cross-legged on the floor of his cramped room. A stack of yellowed photocopied documents was scattered around him. After almost half an hour rummaging through an old, nearly collapsing cupboard, he finally found what he was looking for. The papers were dusty, making him cough several times as he cleaned them. "Ugh, what kind of dust is this... Feels like digging through museum archives," he muttered.
He rubbed the papers, straightened out the annoying folds, then began writing his application letter with a pen that was almost out of ink. The cold ceramic floor stung his body, but he was too focused to care.
Once everything was finished, Dani sighed in relief. "Finally done," he said, organizing all the documents into a worn folder. The folder looked like it had survived World War III, but to him, it was enough.
Night fell, and Dani returned to his routine: watching anime downloaded on his phone. This time, he chose Neon Genesis Evangelion, one of the legendary anime he had long wanted to rewatch. Lying on his thin mattress, he focused on the scene where Shinji entered the Eva for the first time.
But just as the atmosphere grew intense, his phone suddenly rang. A call from Susanto. Dani groaned in frustration.
"What is it, bro?" Dani said, his tone flat but with a hint of annoyance.
"Hey, don't be so flat, bro. What are you up to?" replied Susanto on the other end. His voice sounded cheerful as usual, but Dani knew he always enjoyed bothering him.
"Watching something, super important, okay?"
"Important, of course! I'm picking you up tomorrow for the job application, remember? I'll be waiting in front of your house at seven in the morning. Don't be late!"
Dani sighed. "Relax, I won't run away. You're the one who's usually late."
"I'm serious, Dan! Bring all your documents. I've already talked to the boss; they said they really need people."
"Yeah, yeah, I'll bring them. Stop nagging." Dani stared at his phone screen, looking at the paused Evangelion video icon.
"Hey, Dan, I just remembered—"
Click. Dani hung up before Susanto could finish. "Such a chatterbox," he muttered, tossing his phone onto the bed. The time was already one in the morning.
After placing the job application folder in the corner of the table, Dani lay down on his bed. His eyes stared at the ceiling, stained with damp patches. He tried to close his eyes, but his thoughts wandered.
As Dani finished arranging the documents on the floor, his mind began to drift. He stared at his slightly messy handwriting on the application letter. The night air felt cold, but his head grew hot, filled with unwanted memories.
Two years ago, he stood in front of an interview desk at a local supermarket. The HR officer's faint sneer was still vividly etched in his mind. "So, Mr. Dani... Why do you want to work here?" the HR officer had asked then, in a friendly yet formal tone.
Dani, trying to shake off his nervousness, chuckled lightly. "Hehe, well... How should I put it, Sir? This supermarket is always busy, so I thought it would be fun to work here. Plus, I could meet lots of people, you know?"
The HR officer raised an eyebrow, looking confused. "Oh, I see. But do you have any prior experience in retail?"
"Not really, Sir. But I'm a quick learner, hehe. Besides, if there are employee discounts, I could use them for shopping, right?" Dani replied jokingly.
The HR officer smiled stiffly, then proceeded with other questions, but Dani could feel the atmosphere in the room change. The conversation began to feel awkward. Dani's words, intended to lighten the mood, ended up sounding like misplaced jokes. He realized it, but it was too late.
When he left the interview room, he was only given one short sentence: "We'll contact you later."
But he knew it was a veiled rejection.
Dani walked out of the building, carrying a stack of portfolio papers that now felt like a useless burden. The sky was heavily overcast then, as if reflecting the state of his heart. As the rain began to fall, Dani's tears fell alongside, mixing with the raindrops on his face.
He couldn't contain his anger. Filled with frustration, he tore up his application letter and portfolio on the spot. The papers fluttered in the air, swept away by the wind and rain. "What's the point of all this if the result is always the same?!" he screamed inside.
The security guard stationed at the supermarket entrance watched Dani's behavior with a puzzled look. "Sir, please don't do that... If you want to apply again later, you still can—" the guard tried to approach.
But Dani didn't answer. He immediately sprinted away from the place, the heavy rain accompanying him. His shoes and pants were soaked, but he didn't care. That night became one of the peaks of his downfall, and to this day, that memory continued to haunt him.
Back to the Present
Dani clenched the newly written application letter tightly, feeling bitter. "Will I repeat the same thing as back then?" he thought. For a moment, he glanced at his phone screen beside him, showing one in the morning. He let out a long sigh, trying to suppress the anxiety creeping in.
"Come on, Dan, this time will be different," he murmured, trying to convince himself before finally lying down on his thin mattress.
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